Wednesday, November 26, 2008

For many providers, the President's $3 trillion budget proposal may feel like deja vu all over again. Repeating a theme from recent years, the plan has providers scrambling to deal with cuts in both Medicaid and Medicare. One especially problematic feature is a 0% marketbasket increase in Medicare payments.The budget proposal "sets out priorities that are completely at odds with the tremendous growth in this country's aging population," said Larry Minnix, president and CEO of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging."These cuts are a particular concern since Medicaid payments for long-term care are likely to shrink in states that are hard-hit by the economic downturn," added Bruce Yarwood, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association.But if the document is flawed, it remains the starting point from which the final budget will be crafted. Looks like providers have their work cut out for them in Washington this year.

When you register for the upcoming McKnight's Online Expo, you will do more than gain access to an easy way to learn more about running your business effectively. Five lucky winners will also receive $100 Amex Gift Cards. No other event makes it so easy to learn more about doing your job better. To register, go to www.mcknights.com.

Arnold Whitman, CEO and Co-Chairman of Formation Capital, LLC, will discuss turmoil in the current financial and credit markets, during the NIC Western Regional Symposium. He will also look at the pressures coming from unions, the plaintiffs bar and politicians, and discuss how these elements are affecting the industry. To register for the event, go to www.nic.org.

Advance has introduced the new Amphibian walk-behind carpet extractor/automatic scrubber. The product allows cleaning staff to use only one machine to pre-spray and extract the carpet, and scrub hard floors, according to the firm.

AMN Healthcare Services Inc., the nation's largest healthcare staffing company, said Friday it acquired most of the assets of Dallas-based Platinum Select LP, a travel nurse staffing company, for $50.3 million in cash. Platinum Select provides healthcare staffs to more than 800 clients across the country and had 2007 revenue of $52.9 million. The company will continue to be based in Dallas, and its 115 employees are expected to keep their jobs.

Covidien Ltd. announced it has agreed to sell its European incontinence business to a private French company for an undisclosed amount. With a major presence in Mansfield, MA, Covidien is a healthcare products company; when the deal is completed, something expected to happen in the second quarter, the French buyer plans to rename the business Lille Healthcare. Covidien's European incontinence business, which is headquartered in Lille, France, was formerly part of Covidien's Medical Supplies segment and had sales of $109 million in fiscal 2007, Covidien said.

Up to 70% of infections may now be resistant to antibiotics, the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has announced. "Research demonstrates that many healthcare-associated infections can be prevented through adopting a range of elimination strategies, including proper hand hygiene, barrier precautions such as use of gloves and gowns, and equipment cleaning and decontamination," said APIC chief executive Kathy Warye.